Investment market sentiment

Investments should perform well globally in 2024, with the caviat of geo-political uncertainty. As the cost of capital reduces when central banks start reducing rates as a result of lower inflation but also stagnat economies, stock prices should start to increase. Shares on the UK market and wider european bourses should be best placed to do well. Although looking much later in 2024 there would be a Santa rally in the US if there is a clear decisive election victory for either side.

Sentiment had swicthed more positive towards the end of 2023.
The investing environment is challenging one in 2024 with an expected slow down in Global growth. In the US we will need to see earnings growth that justifies the multiple expansion we saw in 2023 & whilst European equities seem cheap, that doesn't always mean they are a good buy.
With all that said, the reality is that inflation and rates remain the key influences on investment markets, particularly in H1. H2 could be more constructive an investment environment as expected rate custs start to come through. Japan remains attractive and is proving less volatile thus far in 2024.

We're always optimistic about ours and our clients' investments, as we truly believe there will always be good companies around the world who continue to make profit despite the never-ending challenges that life throws.

However, as much as we hope for 2024 to be a fantastic year in markets, neither we nor anyone else can predict this. We only need to look back 12 months to see how wrong much of the "outlook" was at that point.

We build all our clients' financial plans on the basis of there being a "market-crash" at the worst possible time, so whatever happens this year, we want our clients to be able to do everything they planned to do irrespective of what their portfolios do.